Norwalk firm cancels outdoor-sporting goods show over weapons ban

Olivia Just

Published 8:26 pm, Friday, January 25, 2013

Reed Exhibitions has postponed the Eastern Sports and Outdoor show as hundreds of presenters pulled out because of the Norwalk-based company's decision to limit the presence of assault rifles at the event following the December deadly mass shooting in Newtown.

The postponement, announced Thursday, was attributed to the "controversy" caused by the company's choice to limit the display or sale of assault weapons at the show, which was to be held Feb. 2-10 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Reed's decision to scale back presence of such weapons at the show, when it was publicized earlier this month, caused hundreds of vendors to pull out from the event, although Reed had claimed only 5 of 1,200 exhibitors would be affected by the ban, the Patriot-News in Harrisburg reported. No new show date has been announced.

Reed has asserted its support for the Second Amendment, which outlines the rights of gun ownership, and the company said their stance on assault rifles at the show was a intended to shift focus away from the heated debate over gun control, which would detract from what Reed characterized as a "strong focus on hunting and fishing at this family-oriented event."

"In the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests," Chet Burchett, president for the Americas at Reed, said in a statement. "It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year's show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing."

Other products showcased by exhibitors at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor show include fishing boats, RVs, cabins, archery equipment and clothing. The event has taken place for 58 years and generally brings in around 125,000 attendees.

Reed's postponement elicited a strong reaction from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, headquartered in Newtown, which announced that it had been in discussions with the company over the assault rifle limitations at the event. The NSSF is not affiliated with the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, but does collaborate with Reed on the SHOT Show, the primary funding source for the NSSF. The organization, which includes over 7,000 companies and organizations in its membership, said that it was considering "all options" regarding Reed's future management of the SHOT Show, in the wake of these actions.

"In the days following Reed Exhibitions' announcement that modern sporting rifles would be prohibited from the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, the leadership of the National Shooting Sports Foundation has been in intense, frank discussions with Reed Exhibitions management in an effort to reverse this unacceptable decision," the NSSF said in a statement released Thursday. "These discussions reached an impasse."

The absence of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, one of the largest events held at the Farm Show Complex, will cost the city of Harrisburg approximately $80 million in revenue, according to David Black, president of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber.

"There were 112,000 hotel nights booked and, when you consider everything that goes with it -- gas purchases, dining out and retail purchases -- it's got a very significant impact here," Black said.